Automatic focusing photograph printer



May 25, 1954 B. D. BURNS AUTOMATIC FOCUSING PHOTOGRAPH PRINTER Filed Sept. 29, 1950 FIG. 1

INVENTOR. BERYL D. BURNS ATTORN EY Patented May 25, 1954 AUTOMATIC FOCUSING PHOTOGRAPH PRINTER Beryl D. Burns, East Point, Ga. Application September 29, 1950, Serial No. 187,560 4 Claims. 8824) This invention relates to an automatic focusing photographic printer, and more particularly to equipment for automatically focusing an image upon sensitized paper.

In the past, photographic enlargers have been produced which project an enlarged image of a negative upon sensitized paper; but, in order to obtain a fine focus for a given size image, these enlargers require the adjustment of two variables; first, the distance between enlarger and printing surface must be adjusted, and, secondly, the focus of the lens must be adjusted. With different size negatives, the enlarger must be re-adjusted for each size, if prints of uniform size are desired.

Recently the practice of substituting lenses of difierent focal length has obviated the necessity of making fine adjustments for standard size negatives; however, this is a time consuming process which has not proved to be satisfactory. Also, the use of a mechanical link between the height adjustment and the lens has reduced the operation of obtaining a given size image to but one operation.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a photographic enlarger which will automatically focus to produce a uniform size image, regardless of the size negative used.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an enlarger which may be selectively, either adjusted for size by hand with but one operation or automatically adjusted through electronic means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a commercial enlarger which will reduce the time required to process a large quantity of photographic prints.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein like characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a partially broken perspective view of an enlarger constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view of a detail.

Fig. 4 is an electrical diagram of the circuit used in my invention.

Fig. 5 is a view of a detail.

Referring to the embodiment chosen for illustration, numeral denotes generally a table which supports the photographic enlarger equipment. Extending through a centrally located aperture provided intable I0 is a photographic 2 enlarger which comprises light housing I I, bellows I 2, lens board I3, and lens Hi, all arranged in the conventional manner. Numeral [5 in Figs. 1 and 4 denotes a light source which is installed in light housing I 1 in the conventional way. A light diffuser (not shown) is also provided in its conven-' tional position in light housing I I.

As seen in Fig. 1, a negative carrier I6 is slidably positioned in conventional manner between light housing II and bellows l2, and is provided with a handle IE to aid in sliding it in and out of position. Negative carrier l6 retains negative H; and, in addition, is provided with transverse apertures l8 and I 8 placed adjacent respective edges of negative 11, as shown in Fig. 5, when it is held in the carrier. Therefore, when the nega tive image is projected, beams of light are always projected at positions adjacent the respective outside edges, the function of which will be described later. It will be understood that the negative carrier I6 is so arranged and constructed that light from the light source l5 can shine only through the negative placed in the carrier and through the apertures I8, 3', and that negative carriers having central openings of different sizes to accommodate negatives of diiierent sizes, the

borders of the negative carrier around the negative being narrowed or widened to provide the central opening of a, size to fit the particular negative and center it in the holder. In all cases, the

apertures I8, l8 are placed along the edges of the central aperture adjacent the negative so as to be always the same distance from the edge of the negative, all for the purpose to be described hereinafter.

As seen in Fig. 1, an upstanding rack supporting member I9 is mounted on table II) adjacent bellows i2 and slidably retains vertical lens rack 26 therein. Member Hi may be formed as a tube,

of rectangular cross-section which contains flanged portions at its bottom section so that it may be attached by screws to table l0. Rack 20 is formed of elongated rectangular material with a cross-sectional area slightly smaller than the inside crosssectional area of member [9 for sliding movement therein. Extending at right angles from the lower end of rack 20 and parallel to table In is arm 2| which is fixed to the rear side of lens board 12 to form a rigid link between lens 7 board It and rack 26. Slot 22 is provided in the side of member is adjacent lens board I 3 and provides an opening so that arm 2| may slide away from or toward table 10, thus actuating lens board I3 to move lens I 4 away from or toward the negative carrier.

Journaled on a horizontal shaft mounted between brackets i3 and 23' fixed substantially on the upper portion or member if and adjacent the side opposite the slot 22 are a pair of integral gears 24, 24". The smaller gear 8; through a rectangular slot in member it and meshes with rack 29, and the larger gear Ed" is positioned adjacent bracket so that its periphery out wardly adjacent the side of member 53 which supports bracket 25%.

A second substantially longer upstanding tube 25 of rectangular cross section is mounted on table It, adjacent member it. An elongated sleeve 26, which is approximately half the length of tube 25 is slidably positioned on tube 25 and contains racks 2! and 2S, longitudinally fixed along opposite sides of sleeve 25 so that rack: Z?

meshes with the protruding teeth of the larger gear 24".

A reversible motor 29 is mounted on block 36, positioned adjacent tube 25 so that the shaft of motor 291s on a plane which passes substantially midway of the height of tube 25. As illustrated inFig. 3, the shaft of motor as is connected to shaft 3! through clutch 32. Shaft 34 is journaled on spaced brackets 33 and 33' on block so that with axial motion of the shaft, clutch 32 may be engaged. or disengaged. A wide cog-- wheel 34 is fixed on shaft. i between brackets 33. and 33' and engages idler gear 35 which is journaled on a separate horizontal shaft and supported'by brackets from bloclr 3% adjacent oogwheel 34,.so that regardless of whether clutch 32 is engaged or disengaged, cog-wheel (it and idler gear 35 will mesh. A crank handle at is providedlon the free end oi shaft ti iso that when clutch 32 is disengaged, cog-wheel may be rotated by thishandle, and when clutch engaged; the handle will rotate but will not inter fere with the operation of motor .23. As seen in Fig. l, idler gear 35 engages rack 28 so that upon actuation of cog-wheel 34 either by motor 2%} or by handle 36, sleeve will be actuated to slide up and down tube 25.

A1 flat projection board 317, which contains a rectangular opening on the fiat surface adjacent one corner thereof to allow tube 25 to extend therethrough, is mounted on the top end of sleeve 26' parallelto table it and is supported on bracket 38 mounted on that sleeve.

A pair of braces 39 and 39 extend upwardly from the corners of projection board 3'? adjacent tube 2.5.to provide support for a horizontal shaft Mlfixed between the respective free ends thereof. A drum or roll of sensitized paper 42 is journaled on shaftllil so that theiree end of the paper 42 may be fed through a narrow rectangular slot 43 which is provided in projection board 3'! and which runs thelength of the. projection board.

parallel. Withthe. flat surfaces so that the sensitized paper may extend therethrough.

On the lower. side of projection board 31, and at a position immediately above lens Hi, a rectangular opening 44 is provided which communicates with. the slot 43. Opening 44 allows light fromthe enlarger to be projected on the sensitized' paper within slot 353 which is exposed by the opening. A ruby lens or glass 44' is slidably positioned at opening l4 so that the sensitized paper may be exposed when desired.

A flexible cable 45 is connected to the upper sideof projection board 3,? at a point adjacent tube. 25 and extends. over roller 46 rotatably mounted on the upper end of tube 25 and extends into the hollow section of the tube.

Weight Q1.

4 is attached to the end of cable in tube 25 and provides a counterbalance.

Any suitable means may be used for drawing the sensitized paper 42 through slot 43 and measuring the paper so that unexposed increments of the paper may be continually positioned at open ing 44. As seen in Fig. 1, I have provided opposed parallel rollers 48 and 49, whose respective circumferences are slightlygreaterthan the length of opening 44, in a position adjacent the end on projection board 31 and in a position to receive the free end of paper 42. When rollers 48 and 9 are rotated .onerevolution, the sensitized paper 42. isadvanceda distance greater than the length of opening 44 and therefore on each revolution will position an unexposed section of paper at opening 44.

A support may be positioned below rollers 43 and 49 as shown in Fig. 1 and may consist of a hollow upstanding tube 50 of rectangular crosssection which has flanged sections on itslower end. sothat it may be retained on table l0.by. screws. Tube 50. slidably. journals an elongated member 5! of rectangular CI'OSSr-SBCt-iOl'l which is connected to. projection board 3l at apoint adjacent rollers 46 and 49. Tube 50 and-member 5i providelateral stability for the projection board. 3.? and connecting assembly but. do not support the weight and therefore member 5|. isfree to slide in tube. 50.

Itisto be remembered that the weight. of. projection board 31: and drum 4| are centered at bracket. 38 so. that thesubstantial. part of. the weight is carried by tube25 through the support of roller 45'.

A novel part. of my invention is thepositioning of a photoelectric cell or. electriceye'52. at a. pointadjacent opening 44 to actuate-motor. 29.

Fig. 4 shows theelectricaliconnectionbetweencell.

52. and motor 29 and therefore the wiring isnot shown in the preceding figures. Referring to Fig. 4,,I..have provided a transformer 53 which is con:

nected to an alternating current supply when the.

printer is to beoperated. Through rectifiers 54 and 55, full wave rectificationdsobtained to actuate. motor 29 when desired.

Assume now that a negative H. has been insorted. in the negative carrier [-6. on the enlarger and current is supplied to the wires leading. to transformer 3. Light, L5. in the light housing H is projectedagainst opening 44. Athumb switch.

55 may then be held closed. to supply current to the field of motor 29 through upper limiting switch 51 which is resiliently held closed, and. through poles 53 and 55' which are also normally.

held in the. closed position byspringv action.

Motor 29 thenoperatesto raise projectionboard 3"! and at the sametime. lowerslens board [3 tokeep the. projected image. always in focus. projection. board. 3]. moves. away from. table. It.

the image projected thereon becomes larger until.

light projected through aperture [8 strikes photoelectric cell 52. When the. light strikes photoelectrio cell 52, current is allowed to flow through amplifier tube 59 to actuate spring loaded relay 60 which functions, as shown by broken: lines in Fig. to break. the current supplied by thumb switch 51:. and reverse motor. 29 by reversing its field; time after relay Ell is firstac'tuated. If it is held down, rojection. board 3.7. will oscillate. o1- hunt as. relay ill! selectively. supplies. current reversin the field or supplies current. normally. If thumb.

switch. 58 is released, atany time. after relay 60.

has first. been actuated. the; projection board, will- Thumb switch 56 may be released at. any

position itself at a'point where the light from aperture I 8 is adjacent but not shining on photoelectric cell 52. In other words, light from aperture i8 is directed away from the photoelectric cell 52. In this manner, once the proper size of the image is attained, the motor is deactivated until switch 58 is again. closed or light is again directed on photoelectric cell 58.

If another size negative is used, thumb switch 56 should be reactivated and the operation repeated, because the apertures l3, I8 will be spaced different distances from the center of the negative for different size negatives, and the apparatus will have to be readjusted to cause the light to shine through the aperture ltonto the photoelectric cell 52 to set in motion the above described operation to properly focus the image on the film. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the operation of merely pressing a thumb switch to obtain a correct size image is a great improvement and will increase the speed of exposing sensitized paper.

Of course, after the image is properly positioned at opening 44, the ruby lens, protecting the sensitized paper positioned therebehind, may be removed to expose the paper.

It should be understood that many variations in the electrical circuit shown in Fig. i are possible without departing from the scope of my invention. For example, a polarized reverse current normally closed relay could be placed in series with the motor field circuit to automatically break the circuit when the current is first reversed.

Upper limiting switch 51, and lower limiting switch 6| located on tube 25, are installed in the electrical circuit to stop the flow of current to the field of motor 29 at the respective upper or lower limits of rack 27 for obvious reasons.

As seen in Fig. 1, I have provided mirrors 52, $3 and 64 so that the operator, by manual operation of handle 36 with clutch 32 disengaged, may properly adjust the size of the image if the electrical circuit fails to function, When light is projected on mirror 62 it is reflected to mirror 63 and then to mirror 54. Mirror 62 is located adjacent one edge of opening 44 and reflects light in a vertical line down to mirror 63 and therefore, regardless of the height of projection board 3?, mirror 62 may be seen through mirror 64. It is obvious that the same adjustments for the size of the image may be made by hand as were performed by the electrical circuit. The operator may adjust the height of projection board 37 so that light from aperture It appears in mirror 64; then, the print may be exposed.

Therefore, large quantities of prints may quickly and easily be made with little effort on the part of'the operator. It should be apparent from the foregoing description that when projection board 31 is moved toward table Ill, lens board l3, because of the mechanical link between rack 2t and rack 21, is simultaneously moved away from table IE and away from the negative carrier. Since the larger gear 24" is meshed with rack 23, the movement of projection board 3? is more pronounced than that of the lens board it and therefore always maintains the image in focus at opening t l. It should be remembered. however, that the mechanical focusing hereinbefore described is not an exact focus and therefore lens M must have a suiilciently small aperture to provide a proper focal depth to eliminate the mechanical errors of focusing and to give a 6 clear image throughout the travel of projection board 3?.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made in the device shown and described without departing from the scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Apparatus of the class described wherein light is directed from a light source via a negative carrier and lens to project an image upon photo-sensitized material on a projection board, said projection board, lens, and negative carrier being movable with respect to each other, the combination of a photoelectric cell carried by said projection board, motor power means and automatic focus means for varying the distance between said projection board and said lens and between said lens and said negative carrier to increase the size of said image on said projection board, light from said negative carrier passing through the lens to said photoelectric cell when said image reaches a predetermined size on said projection board, said motive power means being responsive to said photoelectric cell to reduce the size of said image when said beam of light from said carrier is shining on said photoelectric cell, said motive power means being rendered inoperative when the said image on said projection board is so narrowed as not to illuminate said photoelectric cell Whereas said image is projected upon said photo-sensitized material in a preselected size.

2. Apparatus of the class described comprising a light source, a projection board with means for positioning photo-sensitized material thereon, a lens positioned between said light source and said projection board, a negative carrier for positioning a, negative between said light source and said lens for projecting an image of said negative upon said photo-sensitized material on said projection board, a photoelectric cell carried by said projection board, motor power means and automatic focus means for varying the distance between said projection board and said lens and between said lens and said negative carrier to increase the size of said image on said projection board, said negative carrier being provided with a means for directing a beam of light from said light source onto said photoelectric cell when said image reaches a predetermined size on said projection board, said motive power means being responsive to said photoelectric cell to reduce the size of said image when said beam of light from said light source is shining on said photoelectric cell, said motive power means being rendered inoperative when the image on said projection board is so narrowed as not to illuminate said photoelectric cell whereat said image is projected upon said photo-sensitized material in a preselected size.

3. Apparatus of the class described comprising a light source, a projection board with means for positioning photo-sensitized material thereon, a lens positioned between said light source and said projection board, a negative carrier for pcsitioning a negative between said light source and said lens for projecting an image of said negative upon said photo-sensitized material on said projection board, a photo-electric cell carried by said projection board, motor power means and automatic focus means for varying the distance between said projection board and said lens and between said lens and said negative carrier, manual switch means operable to operate said, motor.- power: means to increase. the size of said image on said projection board, said negative carrier being providedv with an aperture: for directing a beam of light. from said light source onto said, photoelectric cell when said image reaches a predetermined size onv said projection board, said motive, power means being responsive to said photoelectric cell to reduce the size of. said image when said beam of light from said light source is shining onv said photoelectric cell, saidrmotive power means being rendered inoperative when said beam of light on said projection board is so narrowed as not to illuminate, said photoelectric cell whereat said image is projected upon said photo-sensitized mater-ialin a preselected size.

4-. Apparatus of the class: described comprising a. light source, a movably mounted projection board. withmeans for positioning photo-sensitized material thereon, a lens positioned between said light source and said projection board; a negative carrier for positioning a. negative, be-

tween said light source and said lens for pro jecting an image of said negative upon photo-- 8s sensitized materiakon said projection board. motor power means and automatic focus means to move said? projection board. and. said lens to increase the size of said image, anda photoelectric cell, carried by said projection board; said negative carrier: being. provided with an aperture for. directingya beam of light from said light source onto; said photoelectric cell when said, image reaches a predetermined size, said motive power means; being responsive to said photoelectric cell toreduce the size ofsaid image while said: beam of: light from said light sourcev is shining on said-photoelectric: cell, said motive power meansbeing rendered inoperative when said beam of lighten the projectionv board is: so

narrowed as: not to: illuminate the, photoelectric cell.

References Cited in the; file of this patent UNITED. STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,134,757 Goldsmith Nov. 1, 1938 2,563,892 Waller Aug; 14,1951 

